Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, made an unannounced visit to war-torn Ukraine on Thursday, where he met with victims and veterans undergoing treatment at a specialist rehabilitation clinic in Lviv.
According to a spokesperson, the duke visited the Superhumans Center, which provides reconstructive surgery, prosthetics, and psychological support to wounded soldiers and civilians free of charge. The trip was kept secret for security reasons and revealed only after Harry had left the country.
During the visit, Prince Harry was accompanied by a delegation from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who themselves had recovered from severe war injuries. The group aimed to observe firsthand how rehabilitation services are being delivered in a country still facing active conflict.
Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games is a global sporting event for wounded and injured service members. The visit to Ukraine underscores the foundation’s wider mission to support recovery efforts even under difficult and dangerous conditions.
Harry was invited to Ukraine by Olga Rudneva, CEO of the Superhumans Center, during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Rudneva welcomed the prince at the clinic, where he engaged with patients, surgeons, and therapists providing critical care amidst ongoing war challenges.
Rob Owen, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, described the visit as “a powerful reminder of the resilience of those impacted by war.” He added that Ukraine has been “a vital part” of the Invictus community since first competing at the 2017 Games in Toronto.
Prince Harry also met with Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova, to discuss the country’s evolving needs in veteran rehabilitation. The center’s staff shared stories of survival, innovation, and the determination to restore normalcy to those devastated by war.
The visit adds to a growing number of symbolic royal gestures in support of Ukraine. Last year, the Duchess of Edinburgh visited Kyiv, and more recently, King Charles hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Meanwhile, Prince William, Harry’s brother, met Ukrainian refugees during a two-day trip to Estonia in March. The Prince of Wales expressed solidarity with displaced Ukrainians and highlighted the importance of continued support from the international community.
Prince Harry’s latest appearance comes just days after he returned to the UK for a Court of Appeal hearing regarding his security arrangements. Despite ongoing legal matters at home, the Duke remains actively engaged with global humanitarian causes, particularly those involving military personnel.
The Superhumans Center in Lviv continues to serve as a beacon of hope for victims of the war in Ukraine. Harry’s visit is likely to shine a global spotlight on its life-changing work.
